The Legacy Debt

Chapter 4

We knocked quietly on the door before we entered the library where they all were seated. We were met with stares of disdain and dread as I walked in behind Katherine. George smirked at Katherine as she made way for the unoccupied sofa in their intimate group.

"Ah George, I'm so glad we could join you," said Katherine. It was obvious that there was a bit of a mocking undertone to nearly everything she said or did with the entourage.

"Yes, Katherine, it was becoming far too intimate in this room. Needed a few more members to make it more of a party wouldn't you say?" his eyebrows rose at his brother and he broke out into a smile. "And what a delightful opportunity that you have brought Lady Olivia with you as we haven't had much of a chance to speak with her,"

I bowed my head in acknowledgement of their words. Katherine and I sat in the two remaining unoccupied chairs closest to their group. Augustus sighed loudly; his frustration was less concealed as it was with his brother George. I was raised with impatient boys and I had very little tolerance for them, especially those who are older than me.

"Prince Augustus, may I ask, do you enjoy reading?" I decided to just begin a topic rather than tolerate his childish behavior. While technically not something I am allowed to do with someone of the royal family, but as we have been introduced, it is less strange.

"Indeed I do, Lady Olivia," He replied flatly.

"Ah I see, and what kind of books most intrigue you?" I pressed a bit further. I wasn't going to let him get away with one word answers here. It also gave me the chance to look more closely at his and George's features.

Where George's face was young looking, he seemed to be more jovial than his younger brother. In my observations of families, this tended to be the opposite. Augustus while having similar facial features to his older brother, he had grey-blue eyes; whereas his brother's were hazel. It was a strange contrast between the two. I made eye contact with Augustus hoping that he would answer my question when Lady Natalia cut in.

"I don't think Augustus does read much to be honest, Lady Olivia. He is far more of a sport than a scholar," she mock laughed at me and I watched Augustus' eyes change as he looked over at her. A small smile crept up to his lips.

"You would say that Natalia. Of course you would mock anyone trying to better themselves through reading," he said quickly. It felt a bit on my defense, even if it wasn't intended for such a purpose. He looked me and tilted his head to the right. "I enjoy reading Greek myths the most, but I've been known to read all types of books. 'Utopia' being my most recent,"

"'Utopia', it certainly has a fascinating ideology. Wouldn't you agree?" I mused, I hate to admit to bating someone, but it was far too pretentious for him to actually enjoy a novel like 'Utopia' which criticizes his ancestor's way of life.

"Yes, it was quite a bold statement for the time, not something that we could really relate to as much now. That Thomas More was certainly stirring the pot," I saw his features relax a little as he spoke. "And you Lady Olivia, what types of books do you enjoy reading?"

"Forgive me, but I do believe that there are still those who would find More's 'Utopia' very true even now. However, not to digress, I greatly enjoy reading plays, but I do have other interests beyond reading I assure you," I explained. Katherine looked at me with approval, it was just coy enough.

"Do tell me what your other interests are Lady Olivia, I should very much like to hear it," encouraged Augustus, clearly not baited by my comment on 'Utopia.'